Story, Photos & Video by Don Backman
“It’s a steamer! A steamer goes to the North Pole”
“Santa’s coming!”
Young children chatted excitedly to their parents as the steam engine arrived in a cloud of steam and shrieking whistles. The passengers looked out from the train cars at the expectant crowd waiting for them.
Highlighted by a community Christmas choir, free cookies and hot chocolate, and Santa’s arrival on a steam locomotive, the annual Rockaway Beach Christmas Tree lighting on Friday, November 25th, 2022 was a hit, judging from the excited kids waiting in line for a picture with Santa and hot chocolate. Young and old alike walked around with smiles.
The highlight of the evening, after Santa’s arrival, was the tree lighting. The city crews turned off the streetlights around the wayside. Then, with an enthusiastic countdown, the crowd shouted 10, 9…, ..3, 2, 1… and the tree lit up. 
Having grown significantly in the last two years, the event went through 500 cups of hot chocolate and countless cookies.
On to the next tree lighting in Garibaldi …
